PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 1 Samuel 21-22
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“All who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him.” (1 Samuel 22:2)
David is not a victorious ruler, but an innocent fugitive.
And yet he finds people drawn to him, those who are also on the run.
Those were in distress, in debt, or discontented… needing help or hope.
This is an interesting parallel with Jesus, the Son of David.
Through Jesus God becomes weak, homeless, a target to the enemy.
But through Jesus God also becomes available to others in a similar place.
Jesus offers welcome and holy bread to all who seek hope and help.
All who admit their need for hope and help are welcome and fed by Jesus.
In this world there are many people looking for hope and help.
All who desperately desire Jesus are (or should be) welcome.
Is our table a welcome place for sinners and strugglers to find hope and help?
Our job is not to make people clean up their lives first, nor to do it for them.
Our job is to welcome them, and to let Jesus work in them by grace!
It is God’s gracious welcome and the free gift of holy bread, that makes them new!
PRAYER
Lord, we gather around you like a motley crew of sinners and strugglers. May our gathering become known as a place where other sinners and strugglers will be welcome and included.
“But the king’s officials were unwilling to raise a hand to strike the priests of the Lord.” Saul’s men did not carry out the King’s orders to kill the priests – but Doeg the Edomite did. Later David is smitten because he was suspicious of Doeg: “I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family. 23 Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me.” Many people join David and his refugee clan including the survivor of the slaughter by Doeg. David provides refuge as he himself is a refugee – the target of a massive manhunt for him by King Saul!